"A little sore," Pearl mumbles, "but I think I'm getting stronger." Bit by bit, Rose's hands have teased the tension of the day out of her, unknotting muscles, coaxing joints languid. When fingers press softly into a particularly tight spot, she obligingly makes a small noise of pleasure, low and sweet in the back of her throat.

The question does make her stiffen, toes twitching. There's a sliver of petulance in the angle of her chin as she tips it up. "Jasper could try to look a little less thrilled about getting to boss the rest of us around."